The idea of #xrp reaching $589 has been a persistent topic in the XRP community, often tied to speculation, memes, and bold predictions. Here's a breakdown of the context and origins based on available information:
Origins of the $589 Prediction
Bearableguy123 and Community Speculation: The $589 figure gained traction around 2018, largely attributed to an anonymous XRP community member known as Bearableguy123. This individual posted cryptic messages and drawings hinting at a $589 price target for XRP. Some speculated Bearableguy123 might be linked to Ripple insiders, but no evidence confirms this. The prediction became a meme within the XRP community, amplified by social media and forums like Reddit.
COMEX 589 Rule Theory: One theory suggests the $589 figure relates to the COMEX (Commodity Exchange) Rule 589, which deals with price action and liquidity in metal trading. Some community members speculated XRP could be tied to a derivatives market or a digital gold standard, with $589 symbolizing a significant financial shift. However, this remains speculative and lacks concrete evidence.
ISO 4217 Currency Code: Financial expert Linda P. Jones proposed that 589 could represent an unassigned ISO 4217 currency code, potentially linked to XRP or Ripple’s stablecoin RLUSD. This theory suggests XRP might gain formal recognition in global financial systems, but ISO rules require alphabetical alignment, making the connection challenging. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse following exactly 589 accounts on X has fueled this speculation, though it’s often seen as a humorous nod rather than a serious signal.
Nostro/Vostro Accounts: Another theory ties $589 to the $27 trillion locked in global nostro/vostro accounts for cross-border payments. In 2018, Brad Garlinghouse mentioned this figure, and community members calculated that if XRP captured this market with its circulating supply (around 46 billion at the time), each XRP could theoretically be worth $589. This assumes XRP replaces all such accounts, which is highly optimistic.
Technical and Market Analysis
Analyst Predictions: Some analysts, like Amonyx and Crypto Bitlord, have supported the $589 target based on technical analysis, such as symmetrical triangle breakouts in XRP’s price charts. Amonyx cited a historical 75,000% surge in 2017–2018, suggesting a similar or larger rally could push XRP to $460–$589. However, these projections are contested, as a $589 price would require a market cap of approximately $58.9 trillion, far exceeding the combined market cap of the top 20 U.S. companies.
Conservative Estimates: More grounded analysts, like Tony Edward of Thinking Crypto, argue that $5–$8 is a realistic target for the current bull cycle, dismissing $589 as “fantasy.” Even optimistic forecasts from sources like AMBCrypto and Coincodex predict $2.85–$7.08 by 2029, far below $589. A $589 price would require unprecedented capital inflows and adoption, which most consider improbable in the near term.
xRapid and Market Share: The $589 theory was initially tied to Ripple’s xRapid (now On-Demand Liquidity), with some believing its adoption could drive massive trading volume. For example, capturing 10% of SWIFT’s $4.7 trillion daily volume could theoretically push XRP to $55.60, but $589 remains a stretch without extreme market shifts.
Cultural and Meme Impact
Fake Simpsons Screenshot: A fabricated image from a 2020 Simpsons episode (“Frinkcoin”) showing Bart writing “XRP to hit $589+ by EOY” went viral but was debunked. Despite this, it reinforced the $589 meme, with some community members humorously citing it as “proof.”
Community Sentiment: The $589 figure is a rallying cry for the “XRP Army,” symbolizing hope for massive gains. However, it’s also polarizing, with critics calling it delusional and citing XRP’s lackluster performance in past bull markets. Posts on X reflect this divide, with some users sarcastically dismissing $589 while others, like @589bull10000
, passionately defend its potential.
RXP Memecoin: The $589 meme inspired a memecoin called Ripple RXP 589 (RXP), built on the Solana blockchain. Its price is negligible ($0.000692 as of December 2024), and it’s purely a community-driven project capitalizing on the $589 hype.
Feasibility and Challenges
Market Cap Concerns: At $589, XRP’s market cap would be around $58.9 trillion, dwarfing Bitcoin’s peak and the entire crypto market’s current valuation. This would require extraordinary adoption, such as XRP replacing SWIFT or becoming a global bridge currency for CBDCs, which is speculative.
Legal and Regulatory Factors: XRP’s price has been influenced by Ripple’s SEC lawsuit, resolved favorably in 2024, boosting XRP to $3.14 by January 2025. A crypto-friendly U.S. administration could further support growth, but regulatory hurdles globally remain.
Current Price and Trends: As of January 23, 2025, XRP trades at $3.14, up 370% since the 2024 U.S. election, driven by legal wins and market optimism. While this shows strong momentum, bridging the gap to $589 would require a 18,690% increase, which analysts deem unlikely without decades of growth or a radical financial system overhaul.
Conclusion
The $589 XRP prediction is a mix of speculative analysis, community enthusiasm, and meme culture, rooted in theories about Ripple’s technology, market potential, and cryptic hints from figures like Bearableguy123. While XRP has shown resilience and growth, reaching $589 would demand an unprecedented transformation of global finance, making it a distant and highly speculative target. More realistic projections for 2025–2029 range from $3 to $15, though the XRP community’s optimism keeps the $589 dream alive as a symbol of ambition. Always approach such predictions cautiously, as cryptocurrencies are volatile, and past performance doesn’t guarant###ee future results.